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Join the Chesapeake Chapter and the lighthouse organizations of Maryland on September 19-20, 2009 for the 7th Anniversary Celebration of the award-winning Maryland Lighthouse Challenge. Visit the following Bay area lights during this two-day driving tour: Turkey Point, Concord Point, the Lightship Chesapeake, Seven Foot Knoll, Hooper Strait, Drum Point, Cove Point, Point Lookout, Piney Point and Fort Washington. There is also an option to view offshore Sandy Point Shoal Light from land and boat to Blackistone replica (2009 Bonus Lights). You do not have to visit all of the Challenge lights to participate in this educational and fun-filled event, and the lighthouses can be visited in any order.
Photos courtesy Don Gold
Photo of Sandy Point Shoal courtesy Alma Pasek
Blackistone Island Light courtesy Clements Island Museum
Along this year's Challenge route we will also be celebrating two very special occasions - the state's 375th Birthday, and the Chesapeake Chapter's 20th Year!
This year's celebratory event will take participants to some of the most beautiful Chesapeake Bay locations statewide. Participants will receive a complimentary commemorative souvenir (depicting that lighthouse) at each location they visit, with a special souvenir for those who "complete the Challenge" by visiting all of the lighthouses within the allotted twenty hours (8:00 am - 6:00 pm both days). Chesapeake Chapter members will be at each Challenge location to greet and assist you, unless otherwise noted in the event brochure.
2009 Bonus Lights:
If time permits, don't miss visiting our Bonus Lights. First, is Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse, visible offshore at the western terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with a closer view from Sandy Point State Park. This caisson style lighthouse, representative of others that sit offshore, sits in very close proximity to our state's capital-and home to the U.S. Naval Academy-Annapolis.
A boat ride to our second Bonus Light, Blackistone Replica on St. Clement's Island, will land you at the spot of Maryland's first colonial landing in 1634. What better place to celebrate this special birthday, than at the exact location of the state's first colonial settlement 375 years earlier! Keep your eye out for Maryland's state flower, the yellow-petaled Black-eyed Susan at this location and collect a packet of Black-eyed Susan seeds--yours for the asking, courtesy of the staff at St. Clement's Island Museum.
Note: VISITING THESE BONUS LIGHTS DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS CHALLENGE COMPLETION - but will earn you two additional event souvenirs!
Important: Please plan to complete the Challenge (and collect your Completer Souvenir) at one of the NON-BONUS lighthouses.
New This Year - Early Bird Special!
If you want to get a jump on your Challenge adventure and are able to extend your weekend by a day, take advantage of our first ever "Early Bird Special" at Hooper Strait Lighthouse at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. You can pick up your event souvenir at this eastern shore location anytime between the hours of 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday, September 18th. See the event brochure for instructions and times for scheduling a cruise on a Maryland Skipjack, the official boat of Maryland!
Note: This lighthouse's early bird status on Friday will not affect visitation hours there on Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th (8:00 am - 6:00 pm). See event brochure for more details!
Two very Special Occasions!
We've designated Calvert Marine Museum -as party central- with additional souvenirs and a "sweet treat" to commemorate Maryland's Birthday and our Chapter's 20 Years! While there, be sure to take time to visit with our newly elected President, Robert Holland. Robert will be happy to chat with you about our Chapter's many and varied endeavors as we move into our third decade of helping to preserve our treasured Chesapeake Bay beacons.! Find out how you can become a more active Chesapeake Chapter member, or join the Chapter if you do not already belong!
Also, make sure you stop by the museum store and check out the first ever Maryland Lighthouse Challenge socks!!! They are beautiful.
2009 Marks an extra special year for the State of Maryland! Its 375th Birthday! To commemorate this special year, there will be a display depicting one of Maryland's iconic state symbols at each Challenge location (excluding the Bonus Lights). The Blue Crab, Baltimore Oriole, Maryland Skipjack, Black-eyed Susan and Chesapeake Bay Retriever are the most notable among them.
But our Maryland-inspired theme doesn't end there. We hope you'll enjoy touring and exploring the great state of Maryland and the historic lighthouses of the 2009 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge.
The Maryland Lighthouse Challenge - Creating Maryland memories...one lighthouse at a time!
Baltimore City Update (Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse and the Chesapeake Lightship Location):
NOTE: for those who plan to visit the this location on Saturday, September 19:
Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse is located on Pier V of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. (The lightship is located on Pier III--a short walking distance from the lighthouse). There is a concert pavilion on Pier VI. It has come to our attention that there will be a concert at the pavilion on Saturday, September 19, with gates opening at 5:30 pm. When this happens the area can become very congested beginning around 4:00. Parking becomes more difficult and parking rates in the area go up. We suggest that you take this into consideration and plan to visit this location before 4:00, if possible.
NOTE: There are different parking options in the area, but the most convenient parking garage for visiting the lighthouse and lightship is on the same Pier as the Lighthouse, Pier V. Rates at the Pier V Garage are $7.00 per hour. After 4:00 pm on Saturday, however due to the concert, they raise to a flat rate of $20.00. (Before 4:00 they will be at the $7.00 an hour rate). The rate will be $7.00 an hour on Sunday (all day).
Other Challenge highlights:
To help celebrate the state's birthday, look for slices of the ten-layer culinary delight and official dessert of Maryland, the Smith Island Cake - for sale at the Seven Foot Knoll location. Also, experience the taste of Maryland Blue Crab (the state's official crustacean) by purchasing a delicious Maryland crabcake at the Turkey Point Lighthouse location.
Once again the Chapter is including a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page in PDF format and in HTML format.
To help fund the Challenge, we're conducting two special raffles, one at the Concord Point location. This raffle was originally scheduled to occur at the Baltimore location. This raffle will feature your choice - one of two beautifully framed Harry Fahl photographs of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse and a Harbour Lights LLOM replica of all the 2009 Challenge Lights, including the new Blackistone Replica piece NOTE: This "exclusive" piece is also available for sale at the St. Clement's Island Museum and Piney Point Lighthouse locations. The raffle items (winner take all) will be on display at Concord Point. Tickets for this raffle will also be sold at the Cove Point location.
The second raffle will be conducted at the Calvert Marine Museum and will feature a delightful two-foot Bunny Rabbit, artfully handcrafted by Marty Hudspeth of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society. This adorable bunny would make a wonderful Challenge keepsake. NOTE: Bunny may be sporting different attire than shown.
You can support the Challenge effort by participating in one or both of these raffles. Tickets for both will sell of $1.00 each/6 for $5.00.
First Ever "Greetings from the Maryland Lighthouse Challenge" Postcard!
For the first time, we will be selling specially-designed Maryland Lighthouse Challenge postcards. The postcard will feature the ten "original" Challenge lights and will sell for .50 each or 5 for $2.00. You'll want to purchase one postcard as a keepsake for yourself , and others to mail to friends and family!
The following State Park Passes will be accepted at Elk Neck, Point Lookout and Sandy Point State Parks:
For additional information regarding park passes or the Maryland State Park Disability Pass, visit www.dnr.state.md.us or call 1-800-830-3974.
The following National Park Passes will be accepted at Fort Washington National Park:
For additional Chesapeake Bay travel and lodging information, visit www.baydreaming.com.
T-shirts are $15.00 (sm - 2X) and pins are $5.00.
The full Chapter store will be available at Drum Point (Calvert Marine Museum) with limited merchandise at the following lighthouse location:
Sales will be CASH or CHECK payable to Chesapeake Chapter, USLHS.
We welcome back Donna Elias as she celebrates the 20th Anniversary of her Great American Lighthouses Collection. Donna will be set up at the Concord Point Lighthouse grounds on Saturday and Sunday. Returning this year are The Lighthouse Hunters, Tom and Christine Cardaci. They will be set up at the Turkey Point Lighthouse both Saturday and Sunday. We welcome Harry Fahl back to the Maryland Lighthouse Challenge. Harry will have his amazing photo display set up at the Concord Point Lighthouse both days. Author Wayne Kirklin will be at the Turkey Point Lighhtouse location both days selling and autographing copies of his book Lightships: Floating Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic. This will be Wayne's first visit with us, and we are pleased to welcome him "aboard! Also new this year, author David Biggy will be on hand at the Calvert Marine Museum on Saturday and Sunday autographing copies of this recently released photo book entitled, Lighthouses: Maine to Florida.
Click here for further details.
Be sure to check back often leading up to the event for any late-breaking details on these and other special guests!
For those of you not currently participating in the passport program, there will be passports available to purchase at select stops along the Challenge route.
You can learn more about the passport program at USLHS Passport Program or www.cheslights.org/passport.htm.
Check back often for the latest updates. Feel free to contact the Event Coordinator, Karen Rosage at dkrosage@comcast.net or by phone at (410) 437-0741 with any questions.
The 2009 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge - Celebrating Maryland's 375th Birthday is one Maryland memory you won't soon forget. We hope to see you in September!
Visit this website often for the most current updates. 
The brochure is available in PDF format and includes driving instructions from one light to the next (in either direction along the Bay) and other pertinent information including all anticipated fees. And, as in past years, Chapter members will receive a copy of the brochure in with their spring newsletter. For those who would like just the driving directions in Word format, click here.
Note: Three of our Challenge Lighthouses are located within Maryland State Parks--Turkey Point, Point Lookout and Sandy Point Shoal. One of our Challenge Lights, Fort Washington, is located within a National Park.
* Golden Age Pass – for those over 62 years of age, entrance to the park is free of charge, good for the pass holder only
* All Season Pass (2009 Maryland State Park Passport) – which can be purchased annually for $75 for MD residents and $100 for non-residents, access for up to 9 persons in that vehicle.
* Active Military – Free access to park for military person only - ID required
* Interagency Annual, Interagency Senior, Interagency Access Passes (America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes), as well as the former named Federal Golden Age and Golden Access passes. Federal "Duck Stamp" does not apply. For information regarding disability or other information visit www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm or call Fort Washington National park directly at: (301) 763-4600.
The Challenge Committee has been working with area hotels/motels for a reduced rate. For more information click here. Rates are limited and reservations MUST be made early. Additional information coming soon.
NEW DESIGN T-SHIRTS and Challenge pins will be available for purchase, while supplies last, at the following lighthouse locations:
• Concord Point
• Drum Point
• Piney Point
• Point Lookout
• Turkey Point
• Point Lookout
Attention U.S.L.H.S. Passport Holders!
There will be passport stamps available for all the Challenge lighthouses, including the Bonus Lights. Note: The passport stamp for the Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse will be available at the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse in Baltimore where you will be collecting your Sandy Point event souvenir.
We are always looking for ways to improve the Challenge from year to year, so if you have any suggestions for this year’s Challenge, or comments about the 2008 event, please feel free to contact Karen Rosage at (410) 437-0741 or email her dkrosage@comcast.net. Your thoughts and ideas are always encouraged.
To date, these yearly Challenges remain an East Coast phenomenon, with the Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society and preservation groups of Long Island hosting a Long Island Challenge on May 16-17 and the New Jersey Lighthouse Society hosting their Challenge on October 17-18. Complete the 2009 Maryland and New Jersey Challenges and receive a special dual souvenir. Complete all three 2009 events and receive a special award to mark your accomplishment!
The rules are simple:
1. Obtain a Challenge brochure, or print out the driving directions/brochure in PDF format. Coming soon!
2. Visit the nine lighthouses and 1 lightship. (Or any number of them you choose to visit).
3. Collect the commemorative souvenir from each.
4. Complete the visits within the designated hours of 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days
5. Receive the Completion souvenir at the last location if you have visited all the others.
AND
6. Sign the Challenge Completion Sheet.
The Chesapeake Chapter is proud to again partner with the lighthouse organizations of Maryland in hosting the 2009 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge! We would like to thank our event sponsors:
The Chesapeake Chapter would like to thank our event supporters:
Donna Elias, www.donnaelias.com, Harbour Lights, www.harbourlights.com, and Forget Me Not Factory, www.forgetmenotfactory.com.
The Maryland Lighthouse Challenge is a proud Celebration 375 Partner.
We are always on the hunt for photos that folks have taken along the Challenge route—doesn’t matter what year, so if you are in the spirit of sharing, send any along to Karen electronically (300 dpi or better) at the above noted email address. Editors and writers are always looking for good photos of the lighthouses and the Challenge “in action” when promoting the event for us as well, so you just never know when you may get a call asking if you might like to see one or more of your photos in print!
2003(c) Chesapeake Chapter, USLHS. All rights reserved.